It's been used by the Berber women of Morocco for centuries, but now it seems that argan oil has found its place as liquid gold within Hollywood's beauty industry.
Applauded as being a celebrity's secret weapon for red carpet radiance from head to toe. Eva Mendes has even said that "Argan oil from Morocco is my total skin secret", adding with enthusiasm that "It’s spectacular!”.A plant-based solution that relieves the effects of patchy skin and lackluster locks, it also is richer than olive oil in vitamin E and is packed full of fatty acids marking it as be one of nature's most effective moisturisers.
Used by some of the catwalk's hottest hairstylists including Orlando Pita who works behind the scenes at Carolina Herrera, the oil's nourishing properties are fantastic for pumping vitality and a healthy shine back into tired tresses. But you needn't be an expert to use this product at home.
Traces of the ingredient are now a popular addition in many high street hair brands including Kiehl's and Morrocanoil making it easy to select a protective haircare kit. If you have the real deal, it's also easy to add the benefits of argan oil into your daily haircare routine.
You can pour some of the concentrated product into your usual hair conditioner and leave in for half an hour, focusing on the ends of your hair for a deep treatment. Left overnight this oil can work wonders, and if you suffer from a dry scalp then you work the argan oil into the roots as well.
Simply wash out the next day with a gentle shampoo and repeat once or twice a week for irresistibly silky smooth hair. While many women are more than happy to embrace the trend of loading up their locks and limbs with natural oils, many of us are more suspicious about using its mineral-packed properties near our faces. But, because argan oil is incredibly lightweight, it penetrates the skin easily giving you a youthful, dewy glow without any of grease.
It's gentle enough to use on all skin types and is even believed to help with skin conditions including acne and eczema. In fact, oils need less stabilisation than creams (which curdle easily), and so often contain less preservatives or additives which tend to irritate the skin's surface.
A favourite of Marian Cotillard's is La Sultane de Saba Argan Oil which contains 99 per cent of the essential oil alongside rose and vitamin E.
For a facial routine that will leave you looking radiant like Marion you can use an intense treatment oil such as this as a night solution to massage into parched skin. Simply combine just a few drops with your usual moisturiser to awake with a hydrated and nourished glow in the morning.
